Detachable fire-front



Patented May I6, |899.

M. L. SCANLAN.

DETACHABLE FIRE FRONT.

(Application led Nov. 3, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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` UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN L. SCANLAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

DETACHABLE FIRE-FRONT.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 624,984, dated May 16, 1899. Application filed November 3, 1898. Serial No. 695,408. (No model.)

To all wir/0m t 11i/ty concern,.- y Be it known that I, MARTIN L. SoANLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louis Y ville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Fireplace- Fronts, of which the'following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cover for a fireplace which shall not only conceal the cavity containing the grate,but which shall also conceal the frame or molding surrounding the cavity. Not-only do the grate and the fireplace proper become blackened and marred after use during the winter, but the arched moldingor frame surroundingthe opening is also discolored.

I have provided a cover which entirely closes thefireplace-opening, thus concealing the interior thereof, and which is formed with a hollow rib on its edges which tits over the arched molding and conceals it, so that when the fireplace is not in use, as in the summer,

it will present an attractive appearance.

I have provided also improved devices for attaching the detachable front to the fireplace, which are so constructed as to securely hold it in place, but which can be easily operated to release the front and permit its removal. In the accompanyingdrawings,Figure lis a front elevation of a mantel and replace with myimprovement applied. Fig. 2 shows, on an enlarged scale, a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 3 isa perspective view of the molding or frame surrounding the opening of the fireplace. Fig. 4. is a perspective View of myimproved detachable front. Fig. 5 isa detail view,on an enlarged scale and in section, on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, showing particularly myimproved fastening device.

The fireplace A may be of the usual construction and may be lined, as usual, with metallic plates B. These plates are fia'nged at ZJ, and to these fianges is secured anarched or three-part frame C. This frame on its rear side is provided with grooves or recesses c for a purpose hereinafter described.

The detachable front or cover D is preferably made of sheet metal; but it maybe made of stiffcardboard or'other suitable material or a combination of materials. It is provided with suitable handlesd, and three ofl its edges d are made in the form of a hollow molding or rib correspondin gin shape to that of the arched frame C. The cover D closes the front of the fireplace-opening, as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, While the hollow rib d completely covers the arched frame or molding C. VThis front piece maybe secured to the fireplace in any suitable Way;` but I prefer to use the devices illustrated. These consist of two spring-catches E, preferably arranged on opposite sides of the front piece about midway between its upper and lower ends, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of these catches consists of a bent arm e', which is pivoted at e8 to a bracket e, having an arm e5 extending into a recess or groove c in the molding C, in which it is secured by a screw em. The arm el is formed with a tailpiece e4, against which bears the end of a spring en, secured to the bracket e by a rivet e3. The outer or front end of the arm e is bentat e7, so that it may be readily manipulated when it is desired to 'remove the front, D. The construction is such that the spring 4ell holds the arm e' tightly against the hollow rib of molding d when the detachable front is in place. The arm, however, can be swung outwardly against the force of the spring e, and when moved to a sufiicient extent the spring will engage the tailpiece e4 and hold the arm open in its outer position. v

The fireplace and the molding C are of the usual construction, and the front D is adapted to be applied to the usual form of fireplace. It may be made of a size adapted for diirerent sizes of fireplaces, and the rib or molding d may be made of suitable size and shape to fit any style of molding surrounding the fireplace-opening. The front D may be formed with any ornamentation desired to give it an attractive appearance.

I claim as my inventionf l. The combination with a tireplace having a molding around its front edge, of a detach= able front or cover, provided with ahollow rib or molding around'its edge adapted to fit over and conceal the molding around the edge of the fireplace. l

2. The combination witha fireplace having IOO holding the detachable front in place, each comprising a bracket, a pivoted arm mounted on the bracket, and a spring bearing on the I5 arm and adapted to hold it in either its open or closed position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my naine.

MARTIN L. SOANLAN.

Witnesses: A

ARTHUR J. CAMPBELL, THEoDoRE A. EGNER. 

